Eaton Corporation PLC (ETN)vsNorfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)
ETN
Eaton Corporation PLC
$433.01
+5.41%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $168.00B
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
$315.83
+1.19%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $70.93B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Eaton Corporation PLC generates 125% more annual revenue ($27.45B vs $12.19B). NSC leads profitability with a 21.9% profit margin vs 14.9%. ETN appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 3.04. ETN earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 59/100 (C).
ETN
Buy59
out of 100
Grade: C
NSC
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit
Strong operational efficiency at 20.0%
Generating 1.8B in free cash flow
Strong operational efficiency at 32.3%
Large-cap with strong market position
Keeps 22 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Areas to Watch
Trading at 8.6x book value
Expensive relative to growth rate
Premium valuation, high expectations priced in
Moderate valuation
0.2% revenue growth
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 26.6%
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : ETN
The strongest argument for ETN centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Revenue growth of 13.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : NSC
The strongest argument for NSC centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 21.9% and operating margin at 32.3%.
Bear Case : ETN
The primary concerns for ETN are Price/Book, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 41.5x leaves little room for execution misses.
Bear Case : NSC
The primary concerns for NSC are P/E Ratio, Revenue Growth, PEG Ratio.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
NSC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.31 — expect wider price swings.
ETN is growing revenue faster at 13.1% — sustainability is the question.
ETN generates stronger free cash flow (1.8B), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor SPECIALTY INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
ETN scores higher overall (59/100 vs 55/100) and 13.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Eaton Corporation PLC
INDUSTRIALS · SPECIALTY INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY · USA
Eaton Corporation plc is an American Irish-domiciled multinational power management company with 2020 sales of 17.86 billion USD, founded in the United States with corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Beachwood, Ohio.
Norfolk Southern Corporation
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
The Norfolk Southern Railway is a Class I freight railroad in the United States, and is the current name of the former Southern Railway. With headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the company operates 19,420 route miles (31,250 km) in 22 eastern states, the District of Columbia, and has rights in Canada over the Albany to Montreal route of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and previously on CN from Buffalo to St. Thomas.
Compare with Other SPECIALTY INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?